Former Pumas goalkeeper lands Swede deal

Seattle Sounders FC's goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, left, watches as Columbus Crew's Eddie Gaven, left, tries to get a shot off against the defense of Sounders' Osvaldo Alonso, second from right, and Jeff parke, third from right, in the first half of an MLS Soccer match on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Bryan Meredith found a Swede deal he couldn't pass up.

The 23-year-old former goalkeeper for the Kitsap Pumas and Seattle Sounders FC has agreed to a two-year deal with Swedish club IK Brage.

Meredith said IK Brage sports director Michael Kallback saw him play in July when the Sounders played the New York Red Bulls.

Meredith was let go by the Seattle Sounders FC in November after spending two seasons with the Major League Soccer club that drafted him in 2011. Meredith said when he talked with Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid and goalkeeper coach Tommy Dutra after the season, they mentioned the importance of gaining more experience and playing time.

He believes playing time is something he could see a bunch of with IK Brage, which plays in Sweden's second division.

"That was the biggest thing, the opportunity to get games," Meredith said.

Meredith said he had an offer to attend preseason camp with the New England Revolution of MLS, but the chance to go to Sweden to contend for a starting position was a superior option.

He leaves for Sweden on Jan. 14 for three months of preseason training. IK Brage begins its 2013 season in April.

Meredith, a New Jersey native, began the 2012 season as the No. 3 goalkeeper in Seattle. He appeared in 12 games, making 10 starts. He had a 3-3-5 record with a 1.27 goals against average and three shutouts.

Meredith won a Premier Development League national title with Kitsap in 2011, his only season with the Pumas.